Creighton snaps two game losing streak

Gregory Echenique and Doug McDermott had double-doubles as Creighton snapped a two-game losing streak with a decisive 81-51 victory at Southern Illinois on Sunday night. The victory was CU’s 10th in a row over the Salukis, and fifth consecutive at SIU Arena.

Creighton improved to 18-3 on the year and reaches the midway point of Valley play with a 7-2 league mark. Southern Illinois dropped to 8-12 and is 1-8 in MVC play.

The win was the 350th in Greg McDermott’s head coaching career, and he’s just the sixth man to win 70 or more games in his first three seasons at an MVC school.

Echenique had his highest-scoring game since early January and finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds. McDermott had 21 points and 10 rebounds on 9-for-13 shooting.

The Jays continued to score with regularity, building a lead as large as 43-22 before settling for a 43-25 halftime edge. The Jays shot 73.9 percent in the first half, paced by 7-of-8 marksmanship from McDermott, who had 16 points by the break. Echenique added eight points and eight rebounds by the break. SIU was paced by 12 points at half from Jackson, but he did not score in the final 8:30 of the period.

Creighton scored the first nine points of the second half and was never seriously threatened after the break.

Creighton returns home on Wednesday for a 7:05 pm game vs. Missouri State.